‘I do films that the public enjoys’

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As soon as he enters, there is a sense of hushed awe, and flashbulbs go into a frenzy. But dressed in a casual T-shirt, track pants and armed with an even more casual air, the Khiladi of Bollywood is unfazed by all the attention. The actor is gearing up for one of the biggest releases of the year, Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai Dobara.

After all these years in Bollywood, what is it about this film that excites him? “Have you ever seen the villain romancing the heroine in a Bollywood film? I think it is the first time in the history of Indian cinema that the villain will actually fall in love with the heroine and suffer heartbreak,” quips Akshay.
He was in the city to attend a party hosted for the cast of the film by Mandira Koirala. The film is a sequel of Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai (2010) and stars Sonakshi Sinha and Imran Khan apart from him.
From the quintessential Bollywood hero to a villain, doesn’t he fear that he would be glorifying villainhood? “I would say the film’s story is based on fiction, and I am just playing a character. After all, every human being, good or bad, is entitled to fall in love,” he adds.
In the film, Akshay plays the finest grey character of his career, Shoaib Khan, who becomes the reigning don after assassinating his mentor. On being asked whether his character was based on Dawood, the actor negated the assumption saying, “The story and character are fictitious and have absolutely no resemblance to any living person.”
The promos of the film have generated immense interest and it has been reported that even The Godfather actor, Al Pacino, was blown apart by it. “Yes, I was told that Sir Al Pacino said that my character brought back memories of his Godfather days. A touch of appreciation is always held dearly and more so if it comes from an actor of his calibre. It is a proud moment for me and my team. I hope he enjoys the film as much as the promos,” says the 46-year-old actor.
The actor has been paired with Sonakshi for the third time after Rowdy Rathore and Joker. “Sonakshi is wonderful to work with and immensely talented. She is known for perfecting every shot she gives and is constantly seeking improvement. I find her very friendly and compatible,” puts forth Akshay.
Last year his films Rowdy Rathore and Khiladi 786 were big hits and the former managed to enter the `100-crore club. How important is the ‘`100-crore’ tag for him? “I do films that the market demands and public enjoys. It’s not my job to think about whether the film enters the ‘`100-crore’ club. My producers and distributors can worry about that. I just do my work,” he concludes.